Improvement in attachments for violins



H. BARRENTHER Attachment for Violins. N0. 196,325.

Patented Oct. 23, 1877.

N UERS. FHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER. WASHXNGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Grrronl HENRY BARRENTHER, OF WINSTED,GONNEOTIOUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN ATTACHMENTS FOR VlOLlNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 196,325, dated October 23, 1877; application filed March 31, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BARRENTHER, of WVinsted, in the coimty of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in a device or apparatus to attach to a violin, viola, or violoncello,-to enable the learner or performer to draw the bow in the right position; and the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which the figure represents a perspective view of a violin with the apparatus attached and the bow placed in position for operation.

The object of my invention is to enable the learner and performer on the violin or violoncello to draw the bow in a direct line, at the proper distance from the bridge, at a right anglejwith the strings; and the invention consists in providing a light, frame, of wood or other suitable material, hinged to a bar the proper length to just reach across the narrow portion of the violin, so that when placed under the back of the instrument, and the two iend'pieces turned up at a right angle, and the tops held by an elastic band, the frame is firmly held in position on the instrument, the vertical pieces of the frame being provided with oblong openings through them of sufficient length and width to insert and operate the bow.

To enable others to make and use myinvention, I will describe it more in detail, re-

ferring to the drawing and the letters marked thereon.

The device or apparatus to accomplish my purpose may be made of any suitable material, such as wood, hard rubber, or metal, and of such dimensions as to fit the instrument on which it is used.

The violin A rests on the base-bar a, the hinged bars or pieces B B being turned up at a right angle, so as to press against the waist or narrow portion of the instrument, and an elastic rubber band, 0, is placed on the top of the pieces By B, they being provided with shoulder-notches or reduced parts b b, to hold it in position.

The upright posts or pieces B B are provided with oblong openings or slots (1 (1, into which the bow D is inserted to operate, it be ing as free to move laterally and conform t the curve of the bridge 0, when manipulate upon the strings, as though the apparatu were not clamped upon the instrument. 1

The device is so simple in its construetio that it can be placed or removed from the i1;

strmnent in a minute or less of time.

Thus it will readily be seen that the learne on any stringed instrument requiring the us of the bow will be enabled to place it in th proper place on the strings in relation to th bridge 6 of the instrument, and to move it ii a straight line at a right angle across tl strings, thereby insuring a better vibratio and a sonorous and correct quality of ton It also gives the learner the correct habit f bending the wrist and directing the fore-ar and also raising the upper arm-in short, educate any one using the invention to the whole work of moving the bow gracefulliy I and according to the strictest rules. i

In giving instruction on the violin a1 1 other kindred instriunents, it has ever be 1 one of the most difficult things to accompli i for the pupil to draw the bow in a direct li e at a right angle with the strings of his i strument, and at the proper distance fro i thebridge, gracefully, and withthat easy mm ment necessary to make an accomplished p former and, moreover, both the quantity a1 (1 quality of the tone of an instrument are great y varied by themanner in which the bow is n41- nipulated upon the strings.

By my invention-the exceedingly simp cheap, and efficient apparatus, as above scribedI have been enabled to remedy (ll of the difficulties hitherto experienced by t e learner in a short time, and relieve myself f the greater part of the task of giving lesso s on the violin, viola, violoncello, and eel basso, and graduate imiformly better perfor 1- ers, with a less number of lessons, as here 0- fore fully one-half of the time was consum d in practice with the bow.

Having thus fully described my inventi 1, what I claim, and desire to secure by Lettais Patent, isv 1. An improved violin attachment, consitting of the bar a, the upright pieces B B, having slots (1 (1, adapted to be readily securedgto and detached from the instrument, substanmy name to the above specification for applitially as described. cation for Letters Patent in the presence of 2. The bar a, the hinged upright pieces B B, two Witnesses. having slots cl d, and the elastic band 0, all HENRY BARRENTHER. arranged to operate substantially as and for Witnesses: the purpose herein set forth. S. F. DIGKERMAN,

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe GEO. M. GARRINGTON. a 

